Spotify Canvas Size and Specs
Spotify rejects Canvas uploads that are even slightly off spec. Here is the complete, current list of requirements, what each one means in practice, and the most common reasons an upload fails.
Updated 2026-07-04
The quick answer
| Spec | Requirement |
|---|---|
| Aspect ratio | 9:16 (vertical) |
| Height | 720px to 1080px |
| Common resolutions | 720x1280 or 1080x1920 |
| Length | 3 to 8 seconds |
| File type | MP4 (video) or JPG (image) |
| Audio | None, Canvas is silent |
These come from Spotify's official Canvas guidelines. MakeCanvas exports 720x1280 MP4 at exactly 8 seconds, so the file passes validation as is.
Dimensions: 9:16 vertical, 720px to 1080px tall
A Canvas must be portrait orientation with a 9:16 aspect ratio, the same shape as a phone screen. Spotify accepts heights between 720px and 1080px, which in 9:16 means the two standard sizes are 720x1280 and 1080x1920. A square video, a landscape clip, or a 4:5 Instagram crop will all be rejected or distorted, so crop to 9:16 before uploading.
One more thing about the frame: phone screens vary, and Spotify notes that the edges of a Canvas may get cut off on some devices. Keep faces, artwork, and any essential detail near the center of the frame.
Length: 3 to 8 seconds
The video must be at least 3 seconds and at most 8 seconds. This limit is strict: a 8.5 second clip fails. Because the Canvas loops forever, most artists use the full 8 seconds so the repetition feels less frequent. If your clip is too long, the free MakeCanvas video trimmer cuts it down right in your browser, no upload or watermark.
File type: MP4 or JPG
Spotify accepts two formats: an MP4 video or a JPG still image. MOV, GIF, PNG, and WebM are not accepted, so convert before uploading. A Canvas also carries no audio track. Your music keeps playing as normal, the Canvas is purely visual.
Why Canvas uploads fail
The most common rejection reasons, in rough order:
- Wrong length. The clip is shorter than 3 seconds or longer than 8 seconds, even by a fraction.
- Wrong aspect ratio. The video is landscape, square, or a non 9:16 vertical crop.
- Too small. The video is under 720px tall, for example a 540x960 export.
- Wrong format. The file is a MOV or GIF instead of MP4 or JPG.
The simplest fix is to export from a tool that produces the exact format. Every MakeCanvas export is a 720x1280 MP4 at exactly 8 seconds, on every plan, with no watermark. If you want the video generated for you, AI Canvas can create one from your track link.
Frequently asked questions
What size should a Spotify Canvas be?
Vertical 9:16, between 720px and 1080px tall. In practice that means 720x1280 or 1080x1920 pixels.
How long can a Spotify Canvas be?
Between 3 and 8 seconds. Anything outside that range is rejected.
What file format does Spotify Canvas use?
MP4 for video or JPG for a still image. MOV, GIF, PNG, and WebM are not accepted.
Can I use a horizontal video as a Canvas?
Not directly. You need to crop it to a vertical 9:16 frame first. The MakeCanvas editor lets you position and scale any photo or video inside the correct frame before exporting.
Does Spotify Canvas support sound?
No. A Canvas is always silent, it loops visually while the track itself plays.
Ready to make yours? Create a Spotify Canvas in the exact format Spotify accepts, free and with no watermark.
Open the Canvas Maker